Have You Checked Your Garden Lately?
FIRST PRIZE
Have You Checked Your Garden Lately? by Leo Smith
“News flash!!! Strange creatures that look like caterpillars have sprouted out of nowhere! Sightings of these bizarre animals have been reported from England to Australia, in fact this seems to be a worldwide phenomenon. They appear to grow and move at a very fast rate and have enormous appetites, reducing trees to splinters in minutes. According to our experts these animals could be from another planet. Here’s what John Barry, our resident Lepidopterologist (an expert on caterpillars) has to say:
‘These creatures are extraordinary! They move approximately 50 times faster than regular caterpillars and are many times larger than the critters you find in your back garden! Their DNA is like nothing we have ever seen; we don’t even know if they are from this world! If you have any footage of these animals, please send it to my email address which will appear on your screen,’ he explained. ‘Back to you, Sarah, in the studio!’
Stan switched off his TV, put down his Cheerios and scrambled to the window. Could there be extra-terrestrial caterpillars living in his own garden? He ran to the door and rushed outside to investigate. He was just about to give up, when he saw something dash across the garden and leap into his apple tree. By the time he got near, there were no leaves left! He grabbed a handful of dandelions and offered them to the caterpillar. To his astonishment, it very gently took his offering with a warm lick and a smile. Stan felt sure this animal was grateful to him and, as he looked into his antennae, he felt a strong bond developing.